Balanced Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna With Dielectric Director for Near-Field Microwave Imaging

TLDR

A balanced antipodal Vivaldi antenna is designed as a sensor for microwave breast cancer detection. The antenna emits short, low‑loss, directional microwave pulses, and its directivity is enhanced by a dielectric director, enabling tumor reflection simulations in breast models. Simulations and measurements confirm that the dielectric director enhances tumor responses, validating its potential for microwave breast imaging.

Abstract

A balanced antipodal Vivaldi antenna is designed to be used as a sensor for a microwave breast cancer detection system. The antenna has the ability to send short electromagnetic pulses into the near-field, with low distortion, low loss and in a directional manner. The antenna directivity is further improved by the inclusion of a novel feature in the antenna aperture called a "director" which consists of a profiled piece of higher dielectric constant material. Several simulated results are successfully confirmed with measurements. Reflections of a tumor placed in a breast model are simulated for two cases, namely a balanced antipodal Vivaldi antenna with and without a director. Greater tumor responses are recorded with the director present, demonstrating the potential of this feature for microwave breast imaging.